My Advice For Aspiring Photographers

12 Mar 2008

I get asked all the time, during workshops, in e-mails, in private messages, what words of wisdom I would give to a new and aspiring photographer. Here's my answer.

- Style is a voice, not a prop or an action. If you can buy it, borrow it, download it, or steal it, it is not a style. Don't look outward for your style; look inward.

- Know your stuff. Luck is a nice thing, but a terrifying thing to rely on. It's like money; you only have it when you don't need it.

- Never apologize for your own sense of beauty. Nobody can tell you what you should love. Do what you do brazenly and unapologetically. You cannot build your sense of aesthetics on a concensus.

- Say no. Say it often. It may be difficult, but you owe it to yourself and your clients. Turn down jobs that don't fit you, say no to overbooking yourself. You are no good to anyone when you're stressed and anxious.

- Learn to say "I'm a photographer" out loud with a straight face. If you can't say it and believe it, you can't expect anyone else to, either.

- You cannot specialize in everything.

- You don't have to go into business just because people tell you you should! And you don't have to be full time and making an executive income to be successful. If you decide you want to be in business, set your limits before you begin.

- Know your style before you hang out your shingle. If you don't, your clients will dictate your style to you. That makes you nothing more than a picture taker. Changing your style later will force you to start all over again, and that's tough.

- Accept critique, but don't apply it blindly. Just because someone said it does not make it so. Critiques are opinions, nothing more. Consider the advice, consider the perspective of the advice giver, consider your style and what you want to convey in your work. Implement only what makes sense to implement. That doesn't make you ungrateful, it makes you independent.

- Leave room for yourself to grow and evolve. It may seem like a good idea to call your business "Precious Chubby Tootsies"....but what happens when you decide you love to photograph seniors? Or boudoir?

- Remember that if your work looks like everyone else's, there's no reason for a client to book you instead of someone else. Unless you're cheaper. And nobody wants to be known as "the cheaper photographer".

- Gimmicks and merchandise will come and go, but honest photography is never outdated.

- It's easier to focus on buying that next piece of equipment than it is to accept that you should be able to create great work with what you've got. Buying stuff is a convenient and expensive distraction. You need a decent camera, a decent lens, and a light meter. Until you can use those tools consistently and masterfully, don't spend another dime. Spend money on equipment ONLY when you've outgrown your current equipment and you're being limited by it. There are no magic bullets.

- Learn that people photography is about people, not about photography. Great portraits are a side effect of a strong human connection.

- Never forget why you started taking pictures in the first place. Excellent technique is a great tool, but a terrible end product. The best thing your technique can do is not call attention to itself. Never let your technique upstage your subject.

- Never compare your journey with someone else's. It's a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never "arrive". No one ever does.

- Embrace frustration. It pushes you to learn and grow, broadens your horizons, and lights a fire under you when your work has gone cold. Nothing is more dangerous to an artist than complacency.

Very inspiring words accompanied by beautiful photography.
This is the type of story that needs to be published. Im sure these words of wisdom will be an inspiration to seasoned photographers aswell as those just starting out.

beautiful words. I must admit that i don't say that 'i am a photographer". I fear that people will see my work and say: "No you are not. Why you say you are?" So thanks for the nice words of wisdom! Much appreciated!

Extreemly wise words, with some terrific sound advice for all Photographers young or old, accompanied by some wonderful Portrait Photography.
One of the hardest things to do is to except the fact that we have become so good at our craft that it has sold to the public and we can now be called Professional Photographers.
I was getting my hair cut the other day when I was asked, "What do you do?" I proudly replied, "I am a Photographer, I have some of my work in The Sooke Museum and have been featured in Fine Art Shows". It felt really good!
Congratulations on an outstanding article!

"Never let your technique upstage your subject"--this is something I noticed before I even knew what aperture meant, one of the reasons I thought I'd be a good photographer. Great article, loaded with gems. Thanks for the inspiration.

I have been avoiding creating a separate FB and twitter account for my photography because I knew I was not ready to start a business. Until recently. I still haven't started a business... but I finally gave in and I'm glad I did, because I found the link to this on twitter, not through my JPGmag.com account :D Great advice. I will favorite this tweet and look back to it often.

OMG I have been crying all night and just got up to see this posted, THANK YOU!!! You have no idea how much this helps. I am going to print if off and post it all over my house so I can read it every day. Not only does this apply in a photogs life but life in general!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Awesome advice. Especially the comment about not comparing your journey with someone else's. It's like knowing that we all stitch our puzzle together at a different time and with different pieces and in the end we will all have a beautiful picture but they will all be different.